Internal-combustion engine.



F. A. SEITZ.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 9. 1915.

Patented Min. 7, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

F. A. SEITZ.

INTERNAL comausnow ENGINE.

APPLICA'TION FILED JUNE 9, 1915.

Patented Mar. 7, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

0 M Mr a W 6 M'Mc WITH/8858 M y z 2% F, A. SHTZ.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 9, 1915.

Patented Mar. 7, 1916.

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4 SHEETSSHEET 3- F. A. SEITZ.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 9,1915

Patented Mar. 7,1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4 l/VVE/VTOR s are r run.

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INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE.

specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 9, 1915. Serial No. 33,022.

To all whom it may concern:

'Be it known that I, FREDERICK A. SEITZ, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Newark, Essexcounty,"in the Sta te of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification. v

My invention relates to improvements in internal-combustion engines, and the same has for-its object more particularly to provide a simple, efiicient and reliable engine which is capable of taking in a larger charge of mixed gas and air than other engines now in use having the same piston displacement.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide an engine which will com pletely discharge all burned gases from the cylinder after each explosion,and thus prevent of the explosive mixture being diluted by any burned gases which would otherwise remain in the cylinder.

Further, said invention has'for its object to provide an engine with means forautomatically increasing the cylinder area during the suction period without causing any alteration in the normal area of said .cylinder during the compression and explosion periods.

Further, said invention has for its object to provide an engine having a comparatively simple valve mechanism which will offer but a Y minimum 'obstruction to the incoming gases; g 4

Further, Sa1-d-1I1Ve1'lt10I1 hasfor its object I to provide an engine which will offer a higher efficiency, and at the same time effect a saving of 10 to 20% in fuel consumption over engines .nowin use rated at the same capacity.

d Other objects will in partbe obvious, and in. part be pointed out hereinafter.

To the attainment of the-aforesaidobj'ects and ends, my invention consists in thenovel details of construction, and in the combination, connection and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and then pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings-forming part .of this specification wherein. like numerals of reference indicate like parts, Figure 1 is a side view, partly broken out, showing a four-cylinder engine constructed according to, andem'bodying my said invention;- Fig. 2 is aplan View thereof with'a portion of the casing insection to show the valve operating mechanism; Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken on about the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a' detail sectlonal view showing the upper portion of the cylinder with the valve mechanism therefor; the intake valve being shown about to open, and the main piston about to begin 1ts 'do wnward or suction stroke; Fig. 5 is a slmllar view showing the piston at' about thecompletion of its suction stroke, and the intake valve fullyopen; Fig. 6 is a similar vlew showing the intake and exhaust valves closed, and the main piston in position at about the moment of firing the explosive charge and ready to descend; Fig. 7: is a similar view showing the exhaust valve open and the main piston moving upwardly to expelthe burned gases, and Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view, partly in section, showing the exhaust valve, the displacer piston working therein, and the inlet, valve arranged within saiddisplacer piston.

In said drawings the engine is; shown as comprising a main'cylinder 10 'to the lower end of which-is secured a crank casing, 10. Within the cylinder-10 works a piston 11 which is connected by a piston rod 12. to a,

main crank shaft 13'supported longitudinally of the engine in bearings 14. To the upper end of the cylinder 10 is secured a head 15 which is provided at its right hand side, as seen atFigs. 3 to 7 inclusive, with an inlet port 16, and at its left hand side with an exhaust 'port 17 which communicates at ts outer end with a manifold 18, and at 1ts inner end with an annular passage 20.

The head 15 is provided, at its lower end, 'whichis secured to the upper end of the Patented Mar. "Z, 1916..

its upper end and open at its lower end, and

provided at its said lower end with a'valve face 25.- The, said cylindrical member 24.

and the valve face 25 at the lower edge thereof constitute the exhaust valve of the engine. The said cylindrical member 24 is provided in its side adjacent to its upper end with a rectangular opening 26 which extends about vone-third of the circumference of said cylindrical member, and is adapted to register ber 2-l. The outer end of said exhaust valve lever 29 is ivotally connected to the upper end of a 1'0 31 whose lower end extends into a housing 32. The lower end of said rod 31 is supported upon a push rod 33 disposed within the lower end of said housing 32, and the lower end of said push rod 33 extends through said housing 32, and bears upon an eccentric 34: fixed upon a countershaft 35. The countershaft 35 is rotated by a gear 36 fixed thereon, and meshing with a gear 37 fixed upon the crank shaft 13.

The rod 31 is provided adjacent to its lower end with a washer 38 which is secured, in position thereon by a pin 39, and between said washer 38 and the head 40 of the housing 32 is disposed a coil springsi. which serves to maintain said rod 31 normally depressed, and the exhaust valve comprising the member 2% and valve 25 normally raised with its valve 25 firmly seated upon its seat 22 at the base of the head 15. The head of said cylindrical member 2tis provided with a central opening wherein is movably disposed a hollow stem 42 to the lower end of which are arranged a plurality of radially extending inclined arms it located within said cylindrical member 2%, and to the lower ends of which is secured a displacer piston l5 adapted to work within said cylindrical member 2%. The said displacer piston l5 is provided adjacent to its upper edge with a rectangular opening 46 which is adapted to register with the opening 26 in said cylindrical member 2% and the inlet port 16 of the engine when said displacer piston is in its uppermost position.

The upper end of the displacer piston 4-5 is open so that the interior thereof may at all times be in communication with the intake opening 16 of the engine, while the low er end of said displacer piston is closed and provided with an opening 47 whose lower edge terms a valve seat for the inwardly opening inlet valve 48 whose stem 49 extends upwardly therefrom and through a bushing 50 in the lower end of the hollow stem 45, and has its upper end extending through the head 51 on the upper end of said hollow stem 42.

The valve stem 49 is provided adjacent masses to its upper end with a washer 52 secured inplace by a pin 53 extending through said valve stem '49. The inlet valve 48 is maintained normally seated by a coil spring 54: disposed about'thevalve stem 49 intermediate the bushing 50 at the lower end of said hollow stem 42, and the washer 52 secured upon said valve stem 49.

Upon the upper end-of the head 51 are provided lugs 55 to which are pivotally secured thelower ends of links 56. 57 denotes a displace! piston lever which is pivotally supported intermediate its ends Within a bearing 58 secured upon the upper end of the head 15. The inner end of said displacer piston. lever 57 is pivotally secured to the upper ends of links 56, andhas its outer end pivotally secured between bearings '59 extending upwardly from the head 60 secured to the upper end of a tubular rod 961 The said tubular rod 61 has its lower end screw-threaded and secured to a hearing member 62 which has its-lower end guided within a bushing (33 secured within the crank case atone side thereof. The lower end of said bearing member 62 is bifurcated and embraces a cam 64 secured upon the countershaft 35. To the forward member of the bifurcated end of said bearing member 62 is pivotally secured a block 65 which is disposed within the groove 64 of the cam 64, while the rear member of the bifurcated end of said bearing member 62 loosely engages the rear. fiat surface of said cam 63%. The tubular rod 61 is provided adjacent to its upper end, below the head 60 thereon. with a spring 66 which is maintained at a proper degree of compression by a collar 67 disposed upon said tubular rod and held in place by a compression band 68 clamped to said tubular rod directly below said collar 67. The head 60 atthe upper end of said tubular red 61, and the bearing member 62 at the lower end of said tubular rod are both provided with centrally-disposed openings which are arranged in line with each other and in register with the opening through said tube, and within said tubular rod 61. head 60 and the openingsin said hearing member 62 thereon, is disposed a solid rod 69 whose lower end extends through said bearing member and between the bifurcated lower end thereof, and is adapted to ride upon the surface of the cam 64, and to be reciproeatcd within said tubular rod 61 by the cam projection 64 provided upon the surface of said cam 64. The upper end of said rod 69 is maintained in contact with the outer end of the inlet valve lever 70 which is supported in the bearing 58 directly below the, disnlacer piston lever 57 therein. The said inlet valve lever 70 has its inner end extending between the lugs 55 on the head 5i secured to the upper end .of the head 15 adjacent to the annular recess 21 therein.

At the left hand side of the crank casing 10 is arranged a shaft 72 which is supported parallel to the crank shaft 13 in bearings 73.

74 denotes a gear fixed upon said shaft 72 which is in gear-with the gear 37 onthe crank shaft 13 through an'intermediate gear 75. The said shaft 72 is designed to transmit power to a magneto, not shown.

On the countershaft 35 is fixed a. bevel gear 77 which meshes with a similar gear 78 fixed upon theupper end of a vertical shaft 79 extending from a pump 80 located in the base of the crank casing 10 From the pump 80 extends an intake pipe 81 having a screened nozzle 82 disposed within a strainer 83 provided in the base of the crank case.

The pump 80 is designed to circulate the oil for lubricating the operating parts located within the crank casing 10.

The operation of the engine is as follows:At Fig. 4 the valve mechanism is shown at the beginning of a suction stroke, that is to say, the exhaust valve 25 is seated upon its seat 22; the displacer. piston 45 is in its lowermost position, and the inlet valve 48 thereon just opening. The main piston 11 is just about to'descend upon its suction stroke and draw in the explosive charge through the inlet port 16, rectangular intake opening 26, and through the interior of the displacer piston 45, past the valve 48 and into the cylinder 10. At the same time that the valve 48 begins to descend the displacer piston 45 also begins to move upwardly. The movement of the ,valve 48, and its stem. 49 is effected through the medium of the inlet valve lever 70, rod 69, cam 64, and the projection 64 thereon contacting with the lower end of said rod 69. At Fig. 5 the valve mechanism and its related parts are shown in a half way position. That is to say, the main piston 11 is shown at about the middle of its descent whilethe displacer piston 45 is shown as having traveled about three quarters of the distance during its ascent and the inlet valve 48 as having been opened completely. As the engine continues to operate the displacer piston 45 will continue to rise until it reaches its uppermost position. The parts will then remain in that position until the' main piston 11 has reached the lower limit of its movement, and is about to begin its up or compression stroke. As the main piston 11 is about to begin its up or com-' pression stroke the inlet valve 48 closes and the main piston 11 thereafter continues to rise. All the other parts arranged in the head 15 of the engine remain stationary during the compression and firing periods. The positions of the parts at the moment of firing are shown at Fig. 6. As the main piston 11 is about to descend during-the explosion period the inlet valve 48, the ex-- haust valve 25, and displacer piston 45 remain in the position indicated at Fig. 6. As the main .piston 11 about reaches the lowermost limit of its-movement during the explosion period the cylindrical member '24 will be caused to descend and unseat the exhaust valve 25 at the'lower end thereof. As the exhaust valve 25 opens, as above stated, the displacer piston45 with the inlet valve 48 at the base thereof will continue to descend until the main piston 11 about reaches the upper limit of the exhaust stroke at which moment the exhaust valve 25, displacerpiston 45 and inlet valve 48 will have about assumed the position'indicated atFig. 7. In the position of the partsas here illustrated theexhaust gases will, with said upward movement of-"the main piston 11, be forced from the main cylinder 10 through the annular recess 21, and enter the exhaust opening and be discharged into the manifold 18, thus completely scavenging the main cylinder. The movement of the displacer piston 45 is effected by means of the tubular stem 42, displacer'piston lever 57, tubular rod 61, block 65, and the cam groove 64 in the cam 64.

With the operation last above described the fourth-cycle of the operation isc'ompleted, and the operation first above de-' scribed in connection with Fig.4 will be repeated.

Having thus described my said invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with the main cylinder and the piston thereof, of an exhaust valve normally communicating with the intake opening of the engine, a piston working within said exhaust valve, an inlet valve carried by said last-named piston, and means for conjointly advancing said piston and said inlet valve, while seated, toward the advancing main piston whereby to force the burned gases from said main cylinder, substantially as specified.

2. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with the main cylinder and the piston thereof, of an exhaust valve normally communicating with the intake openingof the engine, a piston working within 3. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with the main cylinder and the piston thereof, of an exhaust valve normally communicating with the intake opening of-the engine, apiston working within said exhaust valve, an inlet valve carried by said piston,-means for conjointly advancin said piston and theinlet valve, while seate toward the advancing main piston, and

means for retracting said second-named piston and opening thei'n-let valve therein as the main piston is retracted whereby to draw an explosive charge into said main cvlinde'r, substantially as. specified.

4. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with the main cylinder and the pistOn thereof, of a member secured to said main cylinder having an opening therein commumcatmg therewith, and an intake opening and an exhaust opening, an exhaust valve working within sald'opem'ng and normally communicating with said intake opening,'. a piston working within said exhaust valve, an inlet valve in said secondna'med piston, means for maintaining said inlet valve normally seated, means for opening said exhaust valve during the exhaust peri'od and simultaneously advancing said second-named piston and inlet valve during said exhaust neriod, and means for retracting said exhaust valve andsaid inlet valve and opening said inlet valve as said exhaust valve is caused to close, substantially as specified.

5. In an internal combustion engine, the.

combination with the main cylinder and the piston thereof, of a member secured to said main cylinder having an opening therein communicating. therewith, and. an intake opening and an exhaust opening, an exhaust valve wvorking within said opening and normally communicating with said intakeopening, a piston working within said exhaust valve, aninlet valve disposed in said secondnarned piston, means for maintaining said inlet 'valve normally seated, means for advancing said second-named piston and the inlet valve carried thereby in closed position relative thereto and opening said inlet valve as the same audits said piston about reach municating with said intake opening, a displacer piston working within said exhaust valve, an inlet valve arranged in the base of said displacer piston, means for opening said exhaust valve, means for conjointly moving said displacer piston and the inlet valve carried thereby, and means for separately operating said inlet valve when said displacer piston reaches predetermined positions within said exhaust valve, substantially as specified.

7. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with the main cylinder and the piston thereof, of a head secured to said main cylinder having an opening therein in at line with the opening in said main cylinder, an intake opening and an exhaust opening, an exhaust valve working in said opening normally communicating with said intake opening, a displacer piston working within said exhaust valve, an inlet valve carried by said displacer piston, spring means for maintaining said inlet valve normally seated. means for retracting said displacer piston and the inlet valve carried thereby to permit of the main piston drawing in a charge of explosive mixture through the intake port and into said main cylinder, and means for retracting said displacer piston and the inlet valve carried thereby and maintaining the same in retracted position during the explosion, substantially as specified.

8. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with the main cylinder and the piston thereof, of a head secured to said main cylinder having an opening therein commumcatmg with said main cylinder, and

an intake opening and anexhaust opening,

a cylindrical exhaust valve working within said opening and normally communicating with said intake opening, a hollow displarer piston working within said exhaust valve and communicating with said intake opening, an inlet valve carried by said displacer piston, spring means for maintaining said inlet valve normally seated upon said displacer piston, means for 'coniointly detracting said displacer piston and the inlet valve carried thereby during the suction period,

means for separately actuating said exhaust valve independently of said displacer piston during the suction period, and means for closing said inlet valve at about the end of the suction period, substantially as specified.

9. In an internal combustion engine, the 130 combination with the main cylinder and the piston thereoi, ot' a head secured to said main cylinder having an opening extending therethrough and conmiunicating with said main cylinder, said head and surrounding the inner end of the opening therein, an intake opening and an exhaust opening connnunicating with said first-named opening, an exhaust valve worlring within said first-named opening 339 valve seat the base of having an inlet port therein communicatinghaust valve adapted to close upon the seat in the base of said head, a displacer piston working within said exhaust valve having an opening at its top and an inletport at its side adapted to register with the inlet port in said exhaust valve, a hollow stem extending from said displacer piston through the upper end of said exhaust .valve, a-valve seat in the base of said displacer piston, an inlet valve adapted to seat upon the valve seat,v in the base-of said displacer piston, a stem extending from said inlet valve through the hollow stem of said displacer piston, spring means disposed upon said stem for maintaining said inlet valve normally seated, a lever having oneend pivotally connected to said exhaust valve, a second lever pivotally connected at one end to said displacer piston, a third lever engaging said inlet valve stem, and means engaging the outer ends of said levers whereby to actuatesaid exhaust valve, and to actuate said displacer piston and the valve therein independently of said exhaust valve, substantially as specified.

10. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of an exhaust valve, a displacer piston working therein, an inletopening in said'displacer piston, and a valve adapted to close the inlet opening in said displacer piston, substantially as specified.

, 11. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of an exhaust valve, a displacer piston Working therein, an inlet opening in said displacer piston, a valve adapted to close the inlet opening in said displacer piston, and means for severally actuating the same, substantially as specified.

12. In-an internal combustion engine, the combination of a hollow exhaust valve having'an inlet port therein, a hollow displacer piston adaptedto work within said exhaust valve and having an inlet port therein adapted to register with thev inlet port in said hollow exhaust valve, said displacer piston having anopening in its base, and a valve normally sealing the openlng in the base of said displacer piston, substantially as specified.

13. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a hollow exhaust valve having an inlet port therein, a hollow displacer piston adapted to work within sald exhaust valve and having an inlet port therein adapted to register with the inlet port in said hollow exhaust valve, said displacer piston having an, opening in its base, a valve normally sealing the opening in the base of said displacer piston, and means for severally actuatingsaid exhaust valve, displacer piston and the valve in said displacer piston, substantially as specified.

14. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with a head having an opening therein communicating with tliemain cylinderof the engine,{an inlet opening and an exhaust opening, anda valve "seat in the base of said head, of athollow-cylindrical' exhaust valve adapted to seat'gipon the valve seat in theybase of said headland having its upper end-"open and communicating with said intake opening, a hollow displacer piston working within saidexhaust valve, a hollowv stem extending therefrom and through the top of said .exhaust valve, a valve seat at the basep'f said displacer piston, anlinlet valve adapted to seat thereon, a stem 'on'sa'id inlet valve extending through the hollow jste'm on said displacer piston, and a spring disposed within said hollow stem,1and surrounding the stem of said inlet valve-whereby to maintain said inlet valve normally seated, substantially as specified.

15. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with the main cylinder and the piston thereof, of a head secured to said main'c'y'linder having an opening extending therethroughand communicating with said 'maincylinder, a valve seat in the base of said head surrounding the inner end of the opening-therein, an intake'opening andan exhaust opening communicating with said first-named opening, an exhaust valve working within said first-named opening having an inlet. port therein communicating with the intake opening in said head, a valve face providedjat'the lower end of said exhaust valve' -i-ad'apted to close upon the seat in the baselofjsaid head, a displacer piston working within ,said exhaust valve having an openingf atfitsctopand an inlet portat its side adapted to register with the inlet port; in said exhaust valve, a hollow stem extending fIOm jsaid displacer. piston through the u per endof said exhaust valve, a valve seat In 'theii -ba'se of said displacer piston, an inlet va'lvef adapted to seat upon the valve seat inthe base of said displacer piston, a stem extending-from said inlet valve through the hollow stem. of said displacen piston, spring means disposed upon said stem for maintaining said inlet valve normally seated, an exhaust valve lever hav ing one end pivotally connected to said exhaust valve, a displacer pistongl'eve'r pivotally connected at one end to said displacer I and in engagement with a groove in said cam and its other end pivotally secured to the outer end of said displacer piston lever,

and a rod disposed within said hollow rod county and. State of New -York, this 26th having its lower end in engagement with the day (if May, one thousand nine hundred and surface of said second-named cam and its fifteen.

other end in contact with the outer end of FREDERICK A. SEITZ. 5 said inlet valve lever. substantially as speci- Witnesses:

fied. CONRAD A: DIETERICH,

Signed at the city of New York, in the Lems B, HASBROU K. 

